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November 19, 2008

Sox Trade Crisp To KC For Ramon Ramirez

Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City reports that the Red Sox have traded Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for Ramon Ramirez.

Former Royals outfielder Brian McRae broke the story, but we're still waiting to see the move confirmed by other sources. Ramirez had an excellent rookie year for the Rockies in 2006 before struggling in 2007, but bounced back following a trade to the Royals last season, posting a 2.64 ERA and 70/31 K/BB ratio in 71.2 innings.

Is that all we could get for Coco? I mean don't get me wrong, a middle reliever to replace "Blown Leads" Timlin is good, and Ramirez looks like a pretty good pickup, but it seems to me the Sox aren't getting as much as they could get for Crisp.

Why does this make me sad? At the beginning of the season, I saw no reason to keep Coco, and I still don't. But he did contribute quite a bit at the end when LBJ was doing nothing. I wish him the best in KC.

With Ellsbury running hot and cold and Drew needing days off, we do need a solid 4th outfielder, though. I wonder how the team's interest in Baldelli plays into this -- or keeping Kotsay. Van Every won't cut it.

With Ellsbury running hot and cold and Drew needing days off, we do need a solid 4th outfielder, though. I wonder how the team's interest in Baldelli plays into this -- or keeping Kotsay. Van Every won't cut it.

This will guarantee the Red Sox will make another move because you're right. Van Every won't cut it and they know it. They've got Kotsay and they can dazzle Baldelli with an offer to get him here. Rocco Baldelli is in a position to be the best among major league fourth outfielders. I think the Red Sox will go after him hard.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a return of Gabe Kapler if they can't or don't want to sign Baldelli.

As a fan of Coco I hope the Royals flip him to another team. I don't see that happening but for a veteran, proven player like Coco who could be any team's starting CF, it's a kick to the nuts to be traded to KC at this point in that franchise's history.

If Ramirez doesn't quite add up to Coco in terms of value as a player, you have to remember he is cheaper. Coco's owed something like $5.5m next year. That's not particularly expensive for us, a high-payroll team. But $5m is still $5m!

It's never as dangerous as it sounds. CC, AJ, Lowe, Wang, JtC... Sure, that's a very good staff, but they can still be beaten. And this is the AL East. That's 38 games against the Red Sox and the Rays.

But I don't see the Yankees signing all three of them. I'd be very surprised. Even CC and AJ. Very surprised if that happens.